Clydebank 2
Brechin City 0
League Cup (Group 9)

Match Report

Bankies didn't disappoint fans at Kilbowie on Saturday, for after holding the mighty Chelsea to a draw last week, they had no trouble in beating Brechin City.

Newly signed centre forward Jim Fleming, who top scorer with Stirling Albion wen they won promotion to the 1st division a few seasons ago, rammed in two good goals for the homesters. He could displace Tony Moy as the club's top scorer this season.

The first half, although exciting with end to end play, did not produce any goals. There were, however, some near misses.

Both teams took time to settle down but towards half time Bankies were beginning to tale control.

Bankies went into the lead in the 59th minute when Fleming ran onto a King pass and smashed the ball high into the corner of the net, right over the heads of the Brechin keeper and defence.

A few minutes earlier Fleming had been given the same opportunity by King but on this occasion his shot went by the post.

Brechin took umbrage at this goal being scored against them and began an all-out effort to try and equalise but hard as they tried they could not penetrate Bankies defence.

Mid-way through the first half, a deluge of rain fell on the park and sent fans scurrying to the big enclosure on the north east side of the park.

Fans in the pavilion had to move back from the front seats as the rain came pouring in off the roof. The players of course suffered most and at one point it was so heavy once could hardly see.

In the second half the weather calmed down and the 2000 or so fans were treated to a fine exhibition of football from both teams, with Bankies just holding the edge.

Jim Fleming's second cam in the 68th minute when he raced in to tap a Rutherford cross into the net. After this Bankies grimly held on to their comfortable lead but in the space of five minutes three Brechin players nearly put their team on top.

Tocher sent in a great shot in the 70th minute to see it bounce off the bar. Burns followed this up with a 30 yarder which had Dick Madden reaching to pushover the bar for a corner. Ward had had the final effort in 75 minutes when he blasted on O'Donnell pass over the bar.

Ten minutes from time Brechin used the new substitute rule and put 12th man Tulloch on in place of No.8 Sandeman in a tactical change but unfortunately for Brechin this did not pay off.

Match report written by Brian Cook (Clydebank Press)

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After their poor display in the public trial game against Elgin at the Glebe the previous week, Brechin City put up a surprisingly workmanlike performance in their opening Cup game at Clydebank on Saturday; and, indeed, deserved at least one of the points.

In the first-half especially, they really impressed. They showed greater keen-ness, more cohesion and shooting power than the home team -it was just the old trouble of not being able to get the ball in the net. But it was defensive lapses which enabled Clydebank to notch their brace so the team still needs a good deal of licking into shape.

Incidentally, the players have been warned by the Club chairman, Mr David Will, who gave them a pep talk before Saturday's match, that the Committee are not to tolerate lack of effort, as was so obvious last season.

Four new recruits to the team were on the field and all were promising.

John Cooper completed a first-rate half-back line with Tocher (City's centre-half was a tower of strength) and Ian Burns, who now that he is fully fit and raring to go, should fulfil the Club's high expectations of him. Harry Smith partnered Bisset Harrier at full-back and also showed promise.

The other two newcomers, Eddie O'Donnell and Tommy Ward were both unlucky that at least two of their shots did not find the net. O'Donnell and Sandeman had a great partnership in the first-half - this ex-Hearts pair should crack a few defences before the season is much older. They need more backing though.

Three thousand saw the game. many from the luxury of the ultra-modern "Bankies Club" which overlooks the park, and the continental atmosphere of the beer garden.

Brechin looked like going ahead within the first few minutes, but McAleer just managed to block Ward's hard shot. When the homesters retaliated, Smith averted the danger for City with a spectacular goal-line header clearance from Fleming. Ward tried again but this time found 'keeper Madden in the way. Centre Fleming lost a great chance when with the goal at his mercy shot weakly into Henderson's arms.

Half-time came with still no scoring.

O'Donnell, who had been impressing strongly, returned to miss the chance of the match. From a Sneddon pass he shot past.

The first counter came after 59 minutes, Fleming ran on to a free kick and City's defence made the fatal blunder of claiming off-side instead of playing to the whistle. The centre lobbed the ball over the head of the oncoming keeper. Rutherford almost made it two when he shot in from 10 yards. The ball rebounded from the leg of a defender. The goal was only delayed for three minutes, however, and again the City defence missed their cue. Another Rutherford cross hit a defender who failed to clear. Fleming got the ball and bounced it over the line.

In the 70th minute Baxter had the ball in the net but the referee disallowed the goal.

By now City had again taken command of the game, but alas, all too late. Tocher, despairing of the forwards finding the net, had a brilliant run which had Madden beaten; but his shot rocketed off the bar and bounced clear.

Match Report written by Unknown (Brechin Advertiser)